Meerschaum Boxes for small and big treasures

Sinan Atilla designed and carved these boxes in his shop in Istanbul from compressed meerschaum which have become hard to find in recent years. Block meerschaum often is not available in large pieces and when it is available, it is used for art smoking pipes. Compressed meerschaum has been an ideal medium to make large boxes at a reasonable cost. These boxes were all carved in the early 2000s. Each box is signed and dated. Patterns are often influenced by Islamic art, dating back to 11th century motifs. Each box is approximately 3″ in diameter and 2″ tall. The box lids has a tight fit achieved through a cork lining inside the box.

Narrow leaves and scrolls surround the body of this box. The edge of the lid is meticulously surrounded by broad leaf patterns and the top of the lid has three six-petaled chain flowers and three 5-pointed chain flowers.
Simple yet elegant, this large box is covered in over a hundred four-petaled flower motifs. Meerschaum artists often work by only using approximate “eye” measurements. In a circular pattern like this, some irregularities are common and they are, what we consider, the proof or honest work. The lid of this box has a very subtle irregular pattern which we cherish.